The Latest: Friend says man in Trump case needs help

June 21, 2016

In this June 18, 2016, photo, police remove Michael Steven Sandford as Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at the Treasure Island hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Sandford, a British man accused of trying to take a police officer's gun and kill Donald Trump during a weekend rally in Las Vegas, will not be released on bail. Federal Magistrate Judge George Foley said at a hearing Monday that Sandford was a potential danger to the community and a flight risk. (AP Photo/John Locher)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on a man who told authorities he wanted to kill Donald Trump at a Las Vegas rally (all times local):

11:30 a.m.

A family friend of a British man who told authorities he wanted to kill Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says she thinks the young man needs help rather than prison.

Julie Debnam says her son went to the same primary school as 20-year-old Michael Sandford, who was arrested at a Trump rally in Las Vegas on Saturday after authorities said he reached for an officer’s gun.

Secret Service agents said Sandford told them he planned to kill Trump. He has been charged with an act of violence on restricted grounds.

Debnam described Sandford as an intelligent boy who had low self-esteem and began showing signs of autism as he grew older.

A judge declined to release Sandford on bail, saying he poses a risk to the community. Sandford had an expired visa and was living out of his car.

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8:10 a.m.

Donald Trump’s son is praising law enforcement for stopping an attempted attack on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, though he didn’t say if there will be any security changes on the campaign trail.

Donald Trump Jr. said Tuesday on “Good Morning America” that he was glad “real professionals” are looking out for his father, mentioning local and U.S. Secret Service authorities.

Michael Steven Sandford is accused of trying to grab a police officer’s gun at a rally in Las Vegas to kill the billionaire businessman after planning an assassination for about a year.

Trump Jr. said on the show that he loved his dad and was glad nothing happened. He also said he had faith in law enforcement to protect his father because it’s impossible to plan for every scenario.